Not every student has the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of international environmental law directly from the diplomats responsible for shaping policy and negotiating treaties, but thanks to a high-tech program at DePaul University a team of U.N. ambassadors can share this sort of firsthand knowledge with students--without leaving the United Nations.

The seminar is offered through DePaul's distance learning program. DePaul has five distance learning classrooms at four campuses--Loop, Lincoln Park, O'Hare and Naperville. Students in one location are able to communicate with a professor or guest, and view materials at a distant site just as if the professor were in the room. Likewise, professors at a distant site are able to present information and answer questions the same as they would if they were standing before the class.

The University's School for New Learning (SNL) was instrumental in forging the relationship with the U.N. ambassadors. SNL became an accredited NGO (Non-governmental Organization) of the United Nations in September. When Pakistani Ambassador Ahmad Kamal came to DePaul to visit SNL in October for United Nations Day, the foundation for a lasting alliance was built.

We talked with Ambassador Kamal about how we could use technology to further our educational goals,@ said David Levin, who directs DePaul's distance learning program. AWhat we decided upon was this U.N. series which marks the first time that the United Nations has come into a classroom via interactive video.@

The International Environmental Law seminar is taught annually as part of the College of Law's environmental law curriculum. The seminar series explores many of the world's most critical environmental issues, including endangered wildlife, deforestation, global warming, ozone depletion and ocean pollution. This semester, using the distance learning technology, the class is being taught by Kamal and a panel of U.N. officials and diplomats who have direct responsibility for addressing international environmental problems on a daily basis.

Some of those who will teach in this semester's seminar, which ends April 6, include: Maurice Strong, executive coordinator for U.N. reform, and ambassadors Tuiloma Slade of Samoa, Penelope Anne Wensley of Australia, Razali Ismail of Malaysia, Michael Powles of New Zealand, Celso Amorim of Brazil and Ion Gorita of Romania.

From the students' perspective, the benefits are striking,@ said Barry Kellman, a DePaul law professor who traditionally teaches the seminar. AFirst, they receive the most sophisticated and most recent insights regarding crucial global issues, and they gain some familiarity with the United Nations' processes and behavior. They also get a sense of the types of constraints U.N. officials believe apply to their efforts to address these issues. There is also a sense of empowerment as students can pose their questions directly to people responsible for policy.@

The environmental law class is just the beginning of new frontiers the distance learning program will pioneer in concert with the U.N. In the spring, ambassadors will also participate in international trade courses offered by SNL and DePaul's management department.

With this technology we are getting a learning experience for our students that is unmatched,@ Susanne Dumbleton, dean of SNL. AWe are able to bring talent and skills to our students that may have otherwise been out of reach.@

Note to Editors: David Levin can be reached at 312-362-6314 and Barry Kellman can be reached at 312-362-5258.